Forsey Qualifies for World Junior Championships

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Freshman Jillian Forsey of the West Virginia University cross country team competed at the 2014 Canadian Junior Track and Field Championships in Ste-Therese, Quebec, on Saturday, July 6, securing her qualification for 2014 World Junior Track and Field Championships on July 23, in Eugene, Ore.

In April, Forsey ran a 5,000 meter time of 16:24, more than 15 seconds faster than the 5k qualifying standing. This past weekend, the Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador native, competed in the 3,000 meters at the Canadian Junior Track and Field Championships, recording a time of 9:39.36

“Jillian secured a qualifying time for the World's earlier in the season and needed to prove fitness this past weekend in order to be selected for the World Championships. We feel both fortunate and excited that she was able to do so,” says coach Sean Cleary. “Jillian unfortunately was not at her best this past weekend while nursing a very bad sickness. In light of the events leading up to the race, we are very happy with the results on the weekend.”

Forsey will represent Team Canada at the 2014 World Junior Track and Field Championships on July 23, in Eugene, Ore. She will compete at 4:40 p.m., ET.

“The World Junior Track and Field Championships will bring together the greatest field of track athletes under the age of 19 on earth,” Cleary says. “We are very proud that Jillian has the opportunity to represent not only her country but also WVU and West Virginia on the world stage.”

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At the 2014 USA Junior Championships in Eugene, Ore., on Sunday, July 7, freshman Maggie Drazba placed fourth in the 5,000 meter run with a time of 17:33.20.

Drazba, a native of St. Mary's, W.Va., redshirted for the 2013-14 season.

“This was Maggie's first race of the year and we are quite happy with it,” says coach Sean Cleary. “After such a long layoff, Maggie showed that she still has the toughness required to be a big time college runner. It appears as though Maggie has her little lingering injuries under control and can now begin getting ready for her redshirt freshman cross country season. It's nice to see Maggie competing again. Now we have a few months to really get her ready for a big fall.”

Drazba was the 2011 and 2012 Gatorade West Virginia Girls Cross Country Athlete of the Year. She was also named the 2013 Gatorade West Virginia Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year.